About Us

Our Story

About Us

We are a non-profit association, supported by the dues of our 3,500 members. Sacramento County Farm Bureau is not a government agency. We are a member of the California Farm Bureau Federation, a non-profit organization of farmers and ranchers with over 78,000 members throughout the state. California Farm Bureau Federation is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, which has over 5.3 million members.

Our History

In 1946, a small group of local agriculturalists incorporated the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. The mission was to solve problems relating to the farm, farm home, and rural community. They recognized the advantages of organized action to help enhance their visibility as an industry among an ever-changing world and economy.

Our Present

4000 acres of vital farmland is lost each year to urbanization. There is great concern among producers that not only is the practice of farming and ranching decreasing, but that their rural way of life is being threatened. Area growers work hard to supply consumers with high quality products while battling such obstacles as increased production costs and water availability.

Our Vision

As the earth’s original conservationists, producers have a keen interest in preserving our precious land for future generations. Farmers are concerned with natural resources, animal health, water, and air quality. Agriculture professionals are continuing to fund research in an effort to increase farm production and improve animal health.

Board, Staff and Past Presidents

Board, Staff and Past Presidents

Virginia Hemly-Chhabra
PresidentView Bio

Courtland, CA

Virginia is the packing house manager for Greene and Hemly, a grower, packer, and shipper of pears, apples, cherries, and kiwi in the Sacramento River Delta. She and her brother, Matthew, are the sixth generation of the family to run the business.
(Board member since 2008)
Visit Virginia's website www.greeneandhemly.com

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Lance Clothier
Vice PresidentView Bio

Lance Clothier started a custom hay business in 2012 that specializes in small farms throughout the Wilton area. He is also the general superintendent for a local mechanical contractor.
(Board member since 2014)

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Matt Frank
Vice PresidentView Bio

Matt works in vineyard operations for Sutter Home.
(Board member since 2015)

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Steve Garland
TreasurerView Bio

Steve is vice president for Farm Credit West.
(Board member since 2015)

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Jim Vietheer
Executive MemberView Bio

Wilton, CA

Jim Vietheer of Wilton raises and shows purebred beef cattle. Jim is a proud supporter of youth engaged in agriculture. He sits on the board of the County Fair, County Fair Junior Livestock Auction, as well as other industry organizations.
(Board member since 2007)
Visit Jim's website www.haveangus.com

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Walt Hardesty
Board MemberView Bio

Elk Grove, CA

Walt Hardesty started his cow-calf and hay operation 20 years ago. His wife and two children are involved in the family business. Walt
joined the Farm Bureau because they stand up for property and farm rights.
(Board member since 2004)

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Pat Kirby
Board Member

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Michael McDowell
Board MemberView Bio

Michael McDowell, a farmer from Walnut Grove, farms 900 acres of hay, corn, pears, safflower, and wheat. He is a third generation farmer and is part of a multi-generation farming family.
(Board member since 2012)

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Ken Mitchell
Board MemberView Bio

Ken Mitchell is a fifth generation farmer in Elk Grove. He is a contract turkey producer for Foster Farms. In addition, Ken farms hay and raises sheep.
(Board member since 1995)
www.mitchellfarms.net

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Tim Neuharth
Board MemberView Bio

Tim Neuharth grows organic pears, cherries, grapes, alfalfa, and grain crops, in the Sacramento Delta area. He is involved in the Delta Pear Fair and Sacramento River Delta Grown Association.
(Board member since 2010)
Visit his website at www.steamboatacres.com

Dan raises hay and pumpkins on his farm in Sacramento. One of his biggest joys is giving hay rides to school children during the fall at Roemer Pumpkin Patch..
(Board member since 1990)
Visit Dan's website www.roemerpumpkinpatch.com

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Jerry Spencer
Board MemberView Bio

Jerry Spencer manages Van Vleck Cattle Ranches in Rancho Murieta in addition to having his own beef cattle herd.
(Board member since 2003)

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Kevin Steward
Board MemberView Bio

Kevin is a vineyard manager for Sutter Home.
(Board member since 1999)
Visit sutterhome.com

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Michael Tudesko
Board MemberView Bio

Sacramento County beef producer, Mike runs beef cattle in the Sloughhouse area.
(Board member since 1991)

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Russell van Loben Sels
Board MemberView Bio

SA pear, wine grape, and row crop farmer in Courtland, Russell van Loben Sels is no stranger to farmer advocacy. He is very involved with current issues surrounding the Sacramento Delta.
(Board member since 2004)

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Mike Wackman
Board MemberView Bio

Mike is a fifth generation farmer in Elk Grove; currently farming wine grapes, alfalfa, and other field crops. Mike's father, Howard Wackman, served as the First Vice President of the California Farm Bureau. The remodeled McConnell House, (part of the Wackman’s rich heritage) serves as the tasting room and barrel cellar for McConnell Estates Winery.
(Board member since 1990)
Visit his website at www.mcconnellestates.com

Staff

Lindsey Liebig
Executive DirectorView Bio

Bio Coming Soon!

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Alexis Silveira
Program & Membership CoordinatorView Bio

Alexis Silveira is the Sacramento County Farm Bureau’s new Program and Membership Coordinator. She is a recent transplant to Sacramento from Visalia, CA. She attended the University of California, Berkeley and earned a B.A. in Political Science. Alexis has also served in the offices of South Valley Congressmen Devin Nunes and David Valadao. She is extremely excited to get to know each of the SCFB members. Her goal is to raise membership, be an ear for all of our members and strengthen the relationship between the SCFB and our members. She can be reached at Alexis@sacfarmbureau.org.